alexkemaris wrote:I've been wanting something like that for far too long (probably not in real time but in my mind)...
Just can't cough up enough dough for something like this..

But one day surely!

Why are you spam posting? Trying to get access to RR and SC?

Yeah sorry about that guys, as I've mentioned in another thread, I'm kinda new to forums and was not sure how it worked. Didn't know a post could bring a post to the top of everyone's newsfeed until I downloaded this tapatalk app and figured it out.
Will take care to look at the dates of last posts next time =)

I don't understand the problem bumping a thread; old or new.

We're a watch forum, you have to get it on the right side of the time...

I purchased a 16800 new in 1983 and mine has taken a different path than Matt's watch.
Mine has been my daily banger for the past 33 years and has logged over 1000 dives. Seventeen years in, it stopped running and I sent it back to Rolex in NY for servicing. The watch came back looking new with new dial (no longer matte), new hands, crystal, bezel, date dial, etc.
As I was diving weekly with the watch, I loved the new dial with white gold surrounded markers as I could now read the watch during night dives without turning on my dive light.
It lost its vintage charm but was more useful to me as a dive tool. After 33 years of daily use, it's like a family member.
Great review and great photos, thanks for posting.

Longitude wrote:I purchased a 16800 new in 1983 and mine has taken a different path than Matt's watch.
Mine has been my daily banger for the past 33 years and has logged over 1000 dives. Seventeen years in, it stopped running and I sent it back to Rolex in NY for servicing. The watch came back looking new with new dial (no longer matte), new hands, crystal, bezel, date dial, etc.
As I was diving weekly with the watch, I loved the new dial with white gold surrounded markers as I could now read the watch during night dives without turning on my dive light.
It lost its vintage charm but was more useful to me as a dive tool. After 33 years of daily use, it's like a family member.
Great review and great photos, thanks for posting.

Nice story, sincerely. Stick around and post an intro thread if you have the time.

Even before I had my dial replaced in 2006, my watch did not have that beautiful patina. This thread caused me to go pull out the receipt from Rolex for the service and it was just over $1500 for the overhaul ten years ago. The service cost nearly twice what it cost me to purchase the watch new in 1983.
I love that tropical dial with the green national strap.

Longitude wrote:Even before I had my dial replaced in 2006, my watch did not have that beautiful patina. This thread caused me to go pull out the receipt from Rolex for the service and it was just over $1500 for the overhaul ten years ago. The service cost nearly twice what it cost me to purchase the watch new in 1983.
I love that tropical dial with the green national strap.

Thanks. This one has nice patina, but it was bought by Matt from HQ Milton only a few years ago, nothing comparable to actually buying and owning a watch since 1983 as in your case. I sold most of my collection and bought this watch 3 months ago, so if you keep watching my posts here, you'll see a lot more pics of it, or look on my Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/bl0wfish89/)

I also now know that I should not send this watch to RSC for service as they'll mess it up and replace everything.

Longitude wrote:Even before I had my dial replaced in 2006, my watch did not have that beautiful patina. This thread caused me to go pull out the receipt from Rolex for the service and it was just over $1500 for the overhaul ten years ago. The service cost nearly twice what it cost me to purchase the watch new in 1983.
I love that tropical dial with the green national strap.

Welcome to DWC. love the story about your sub but obviously from a collector perspective it sucks that RSC replaced that matte dial, but it's a story often repeated on the forums. So one watch for 33 years?! how does that work exactly? stick around and I'm sure that might change.

You give respect, you'll get respect - you just don't know your place.

Longitude wrote:I purchased a 16800 new in 1983 and mine has taken a different path than Matt's watch.
Mine has been my daily banger for the past 33 years and has logged over 1000 dives. Seventeen years in, it stopped running and I sent it back to Rolex in NY for servicing. The watch came back looking new with new dial (no longer matte), new hands, crystal, bezel, date dial, etc.
As I was diving weekly with the watch, I loved the new dial with white gold surrounded markers as I could now read the watch during night dives without turning on my dive light.
It lost its vintage charm but was more useful to me as a dive tool. After 33 years of daily use, it's like a family member.
Great review and great photos, thanks for posting.

BSears, I wasn't bothered by Rolex replacing the dial. I was diving with the watch every week and really appreciated the new lume from a practical perspective. Also, I have lots of watches but have really only worn one for the past 33 years. Here are just a few from my collection.